Lugnano in Teverina, Italy: visit the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Assunta and other monuments in Lugnano in Teverina

Visit Lugnano in Teverina

Lugnano in Teverina not only has a very ancient past, but also a history of art that is worthy of special consideration. The town is still surrounded by its medieval walls, largely rebuilt by Pope Pius II, while the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Assunta is the most important monument in the town.

Explore Lugnano in Teverina: tourism and travel guide

The medieval village and old town are at the centre of your visit to Lugnano in Teverina, and where you can see the majestic ancient palazzos that are the most interesting feature of the town for visitors. The Via Umberto I is the main street through the old city on which the side streets converge and a good base for your tour of the town. This layout was typical of Roman cities - see also history of Lugnano in Teverina.

Ridolfi-Farnese Palace

The Ridolfi-Farnese Palace is a particularly noteworthy palace - it is also called the "Pennone" because it stands over the city. In the Middle Ages this was the residence of the powerful Vannicelli family then until the 18th century the building was the seat of the Pope’s legates. Recently renovated, it is now the Town Hall. The building has a rectangular plan and is on three floors, with the corners of the palace, the balustrades and the portals made of rusticated travertine.

The Civic Museum at Lugnano, which is in the Town Hall, holds the relics of the Roman villa of Poggio Gramignano, built in the second half of the first century BC. The museum contains geological and various building materials used in the villa.

Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Assunta

The Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Assunta is in the center of Lugnano in Teverina. Described by R. Hutton as a "magnificent Romanesque church" it is built on the site of a pre-existing religious building dating back to Lombard times using blocks of travertine from the quarries next to the Tiber. This Church probably dates from the 11th and early 12th century, although the inscription on the façade indicates the 12th century.

The porch is part of the original building, and supported by four columns and two half-side columns on the capitals of which there rests a lintel. Above there are five low arches, which support the half-barrel roof. In the sides of the porch there are mullioned windows, with access to the church through a single simple door.

The capitals of the columns are of Corinthian style. A carved animal with a human head stands out, and is thought to be a symbol of the fall of Adam. Above the columns there are bas-reliefs depicting the symbols of the evangelists while on the sides animals and monstrous beings are painted, which is a typical feature of medieval churches.

In the upper part of the façade there is a large Umbrian style rose window consisting of two double rows of pillars flanked by mullioned windowsn and a rose window above. In addition to the usual reliefs of the Evangelists and the Cosmatesque decoration, the rose window is also flanked by two griffons that protrude significantly from the façade, and an eagle crowns the pinnacle of the roof.

The church interior has three naves and the columns have capitals carved with plants and geometric themes. There are also numerous works of great artistic value, such as a triptych by Nicholas Liberatore* (1430 -1502) depicting the Assumption and Saints in the apse.

In addition to the Crucifixion by the school of Giotto (14th century), also in the chapel is the "Beheading of St. John the Baptist”, by Livio Agresti* (1500 - 1580), signed and dated 1573. Note also the picture of San Gerolamo: published anonymously this is traditionally assigned to Leandro Bassano* (1557-1622).

The grand staircase is enhanced with an extensive fresco representing Philip of Arragon [1556-1598] submitting his kingdom to Pope Eugenius III [died 1153].

Attractions near Lugnano in Teverina

Lugnano in Teverina is located in a landscape of remarkable beauty. Its territory, which is mostly a hilly area, spreads across vineyards and olive groves from which an oil of high quality is produced. Among the other local products to enjoy we must mention the bread, and a famous cheese cake known as the "St. Francis’s bocconcello".

Saint Francis is particularly revered in Lugnano in Teverina because he is closely linked to the history of the city - according to tradition a miracle happened here involving a duck and a wolf.

Also nearby you can find the church and convent of Saint Francis, erected on the site where the miracle took place. The convent was founded in 1229 by the local community in memory of Saint Francis, who passied through Lugnano in 1212.

Where is Lugnano in Teverina

The town is situated on an isolated hill, in the Umbria region of italy to the south of Perugia.

See also:

Selected places to visit near Lugnano in Teverina, Italy

Amelia (at 7 kilometres)

The fortified town of Amelia has many palazzos and monuments from the 16th-18th centuries.